USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > The history of Fairfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, from the settlement of the town in 1639 to 1818, Vol. II > Part 22
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Frequent seizures of English traders by the French and their Indian allies offended the Virginians so that Lieutenant-Governor Dinwiddie dispatched Major Washington with a body of armed men to demand of M. St. Pierre, in command on the Ohio, the reasons of his hostile con duct; and to insist that he should withdraw his troops. The Virginians attempted to raise a fort at the junction of the Ohio and Monongahela,
The French commander disclaimed all intent of hostility, on the ground that the French possessed the property under its king, and that he should oppose any invasion of the country. He seized upon the partly constructed fort of the Virginians, and with a force of one thousand men and eighteen pieces of cannon drove them from the country. He erected a fort on the spot begun by the Virginians, which he named Fort Du Quesne. Every English trader but two was murdered or driven from the country, and their furs and skins seized, which were valued at about twenty thousand pounds.
The English colonists resolved not to allow the French the great ad- * Col. Rec. Conn., Vol X, p. 261. + Col. Rec Conn .. Vol. A. p. 263.
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vantage of controlling the lakes, the Mississippi river and all the lands west of them, besides their valuable trade in furs and skins with the Indians. They realized, too, the danger from the Lake regions by way of the mouth of the Mississippi with the West India trade, and, therefore, resolved to contest inch by inch with France in their scheme of so great a magnitude. Immediate orders were sent to Virginia to resist and frus- trate the efforts of the French; and the other colonies were instructed to assist them. Major Washington was promoted to the rank of colonel and placed in command of the Virginia troops. He was soon joined by Cap- tain James Mackay of South Carolina. Without waiting for two more companies on their way from New York, Colonel Washington, with four hundred men, set out for Fort Du Quesne. On his way he fell in, May 28th, with a party from that fort, and completely routed them. Upon learning of this defeat the commander of the fort, De Villiers, marched against Colonel Washington's forces with an army of nine hundred men, besides their Indian allies. Washington meanwhile had entrenched him- self with hastily erected works to await the coming of the New York forces. With his small force he fought the French so bravely that, recog- nizing they had in him and his men a brave and resolute foe, soon made overtures of capitulation. Washington and his brave men returned to Virginia.
It was recommended by the Lords of Trade and Plantations that com- missioners from each colony should meet and consider the best way to defeat the designs of the French.
The General Assembly of Connecticut agreed to send the Hon. Wil- liam Pitkin, Roger Wolcott, Jr., and Elisha Williams as commissioners, to meet with commissioners from the other colonies at Albany on the 14th of June, and join with them in concerting measures for the general defence and safety of his Majesty's subjects against the French and their Indian allies, and to report to the next session of the Assembly.
Connecticut having been so heavily drained of her men and resources and so meagerly rewarded, Governor Roger Wolcott and his associates gave explicit instructions to the commissioners, while joining in a peti- tion to the King of England for assistance and protection against the French and Indians, and to prepare themselves to make exhibits of the larger share Connecticut had borne in proportion to her capacity, in comparison to the most southern colonies in former wars, and the greater benefit they would derive in this proposed war. They were instructed
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to agree to no further expense than for the present necessity to pledge no money to Indians, and that they should enter into no agreement Will the other commissioners until the Assembly approved of the anfange ment for such a combination of defence.
On the 14th of June the Governor and commissioners from the several colonies met at Albany, when, upon deliberation, it was the general opinion : " That a grand council should be formed of member chbich bs the assemblies & sent from all the colonies: which council should confit of a governor-general, to be appointed by the crown, who should be em powered to make general laws, & to raise money, in all the colomes for the defence of the whole."
This combination of the English colonies for mutual defence and pro tection was deemed by many wise, and the only expedient for the good of the whole, as previously some of the colonies had alone defended thiele selves without assistance from Great Britain or the other colonies.
At the meeting of the General Assembly in New Haven, October 3151. it was resolved to reject this combination of the colonies, as it was re garded to be too extensive to be controlled by one President-General and Council, and must necessarily prove ruinous. The proportion was rejected with indignation, and the Assembly refused to make any appii- cation to the Parliament of England in an act to form such plan of union. +
Another great objection on the part of Connecticut was, that it inn l been proposed to make two separate unions of colonies, one constring of the colonies of New England. New York and New Jersey, and the other of the colonies of Pennsylvania, Maryland. Virginia and North and South Carolina. Connecticut had suffered too severely in the past from the ambitious designs of English and other provincial governors to be caught napping, and had not the slightest idea of yielding to the long sought for ambition of the enemies of her sacred precincts and Mbertie- to encourage an English Governor-General. The Connectiont agent m England was instructed to oppose any agreement to such a combination of government and defence of the colonies.
Fortunately, this union of the colonies was rejected by the Par' unews of Great Britain, for they had arranged a very different plan, by which the governors of the colonies, with one or more of their councils, should form a convention to provide measures for the general defence of the colonies, erect forts and raise forces, and to draw on the British treasury
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X. p. 268. + Col. Rec Cont. Vol. 1 1. = 2
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to reimburse them. But Great Britain, while offering her plan, an- nounced that the parliament would tax the colonies to pay the whole sums necessary for all such expenditures. This plan threw all the colonies into a state of the utmost indignation, as a direct blow to their liberties, wealth and prosperity; in fact, they saw that they were to be made slaves to the will of parliament and impoverished by taxation. They, therefore, resolved to struggle against such oppressive measures, and to oppose it with all their power .*
The Assembly commissioned Mr. Nathan Hurd captain, Mr. Isaac Bennet lieutenant, and Mr. Solomon Burton ensign of the train-band en- listed out of the companies in the north part of the parishes of Stratfield and North Stratford. t
The taxable estates of Fairfield were valued at £50,865 3s. 6d.
The ecclesiastical and educational interests at Fairfield, as well as throughout the colony of Connecticut, were at this time subjects of grave consideration. The Rev. Noah Hobart, like his revered predecessor the Rev. Joseph Webb, was fully alive to all the interests of Yale College. It cannot be said of Mr. Hobart that he was altogether as peaceably dis- posed towards the Church of England as Mr. Webb had been, for he not only entered into controversies with her clergymen at home, but was equally active as a fellow of Yale College in preventing any encroach- ments whatever on the part of Dr. Johnson and others of her clergy gaining the slightest control over the college.
The spirit of disquietude which had been raised during the previous year on account of the president, tutors and students withdrawing from attending the First Congregational Church at New Haven, thereby bringing the students more particularly under the teaching of the Presi- dent, rather tended, for the time being, to create no little trouble in carrying out this design.
In order to show the origin and designs of colleges, their rights and privileges, President Clap issued a small tract, entitled " The Religious Constitution of Colleges," the main arguments of which were to show, "that every distinct society, founded for religious purposes, is, or at least may be a distinct worshiping assembly "; and that the religious training of the students, particularly on the Sabbath, ought to be con- ducted by the authority of the college.
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 293. Trumbull's Hist. Conn., Vol. 2, pp. 356, 357. + Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 314.
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" Many tongues & pens & all manner of objection. At Troenball tu " ployed both against the government & the college Some argued that the new nt col leges was to teach the arts & sciences only , & that rehein was to part of db, Blur tion: & that therefore no religious worship ought to be upheld of released by the luxe of the college, but that every student should be allowed to wordup how & where pleased, or as his parents & guarchans should direct
" The President claimed that there probably had never est ted a college Enfiler sech a constitution, & that for the welfare of the young men uttuted to los arrighe & the of the tutors, they should be directly under their strict observation, Lati fy ren to ti attendance and behaviour during divine worship, not only on week die, but partonjunge on the Lord's day. It was also claimed that parents at a di tante email fint girem teil children at college, & that no parent can have a right to put his cheid to le fre mruites of any society, & then order him to break the laws & rules of it by not contornar to this regulations & laws of that society.
" On the other hand, it was claimed that the college acted upon the procent liberty of conscience; that the founding of a college of school might allow alt ly E milet of conscience as was consistent with the rehgious views of the facuity er todem
"This was followed by the argument that the great design of the coller wa th elm cate ministers in the faith of the established church of the colony, & for the return it is necessary that the students should ordinarily attend upon the worship so establesed & should they give up that law & order, the college would serve designs & perfume of trary to those for which it was originally founded, which they cond ner perry L'oon the principles of natural liberties & privileges allowed to free & voluntary . ties vi city the college must be governed, & their particular rights were to determine their own thede of government & the conditions of their own favors & benefits to other
" Again it was claimed that the Church of England was the e tal ched che of the colony, & therefore the students ought to attend the worship of that eur ١-١٠ some went so far as to claim that not to attend the services of the Church of Fren w to be schismatic & seditions.
" In reply, it was argued that the acts of parlament in the common prayer book con fined the establishment of the church of England to England & Wales, & the town Berwick upon the Tweed, & that no act could be found whereby the statutes ui Fremmed did not extend to the colonies unless expressly mentioned
" The large donations made to the college by Bishop Berkeley & Governor Yale, why were churchmen, was held out as still another reason why the college should be camel by the Church of England. To this reply was made that the donors had ffft komen de of the design of those who founded the college; & that they had no rea in theshipped that either Bishop Berkeley or Governor Yale had had the least idea whatever that any app tion would be made in the original laws of the college favoring the Cher hand ling and an any other society.
"There were many in the colony who continued to oppose the establishment of a pre fessor of divinity, & a distinct worship in the college Some of the Mulig cost one of New Haven as well as in other parts of the colony, who were opposed to the Amends Catechism & to the Confession of Faith adopted by the established church became strong opposers of the resolves & declarations of the corporation of NIN. 1750"
The president and fellows at the college, however, continued firm their resolution to establish a professor of divinity at an early date. an l steps were forthwith taken to effect this end.
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While the attention of the intelligent gentlemen of every town in the colony was occupied with the interests of Yale College, many opposers of the President and fellows found a solace for their disquietude in the proposed establishment of King's (now Columbia) College in New York.
Influenced by the energy of Benjamin Franklin, who at this time was making active preparations towards erecting a college in Philadelphia. a number of gentlemen in New York, principally of the Church of Eng- land, engaged in taking measures towards founding a college within their own borders. Accordingly, in 1753, they obtained an Act of As- sembly by which Lieutenant Governor De Lancy and other gentlemen Trustees or Commissioners, were given authority to carry this design into effect.
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Johnson of Stratford, who had eagerly been sought by Franklin " as the future Provost of the college " he was about to erect in Philadelphia, but which he declined, was now chosen President of King's College, New York, January, 1754. Dr. Johnson was also chosen to be an assistant minister of Trinity Church in connection with his office as President of King's College.
A charter was asked for, in which it was proposed by a majority of the Trustees that the college should be under the control of the Church of England. This was warmly opposed by those who did not favor that Church. It was granted, however, soon after. Among its conditions were those upon which the Corporation of Trinity Church gave a portion of the King's Farm to build the College on, viz .: "that the President be forever in communion with the Church of England," and "the Morning & Evening Service of the College should be the Liturgy of the said Church, or a collection of prayers from her Liturgy."
Dr. Johnson did not move his family to New York until after the charter was granted, and his successor chosen at Stratford. His removal was regarded as a great loss to the people throughout Connecticut, but specially so to his devoted parishioners at Stratford, and his friends in the neighboring towns where he frequently officiated. At Fairfield his name was familiar in every Church of England home, and the prosperity of Trinity Church in its infancy, was greatly owing to the zeal and bravery of this remarkable man. By the clergy of Fairfield he was looked up to and revered as a father. From his companions in the ministry he con- tinued to receive visits and letters of counsel when perplexities arose in their parishes after his removal to New York. As the senior missionary
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of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parte, he had acted the part of a father towards them, and as Such they continued to consult with him, even to the time of his death.
Many who were opposed to the laws and regulations of Sale College iound an institution of learning in King's College, which met with their approval. In a short time the latter was equally mas flourishing a coll dition as the former.
1755. The General Assembly met at Hartford, January 8th, to take into consideration the assistance Connecticut had been called upon by Great Britain to give against the French in America. It was agreed to render all possible assistance to his Majesty, " at the cost & change of the colony." The expense of such an undertaking being fir greater than the colony could afford, it was ordered that seven thousand fve hundred pounds in bills of credit paying an interest of five per cent .. to be redeemed in 1758. should be struck off, and a tax of two per cent. levied on all the taxable estates of the colony to redeem them.
Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr, with two others. were appointed a committee to assist the Governor with their advice an I counsel. Colonel Andrew Burr was also made one of a committee to enlist, supply and furnish the forces to be raised in the colony and others that might arrive from Europe " at the cost & expense of the colony "
The Assembly met again March 13th, when the colony was called upon by Governor Shirley of Massachusetts to join with New Hampshire, Rhode Island and New York in an " attempt to erect a strong fortress upon the eminence near the French Fort at Crown Point, or some ofller desirable point for his Majesty's forces; & to remove all encroachments upon his territories." Governor Shirley recommended that five thou sand men be raised for this expedition, twelve hundred from Masstel- setts, one thousand from Connecticut, six hundred from New Hantp- shire, Rhode Island four hundred and New York eight hundred. By this it will be seen that Connecticut was called upon to raise a much larger supply of men in proportion to her size than Massachusetts or New York.
The Assembly promptly ordered that one thousand men should be immediately raised. armed and equipped to join the other provincial forces, and in case any emergency should arise, five hundre l more mon were to be raised to reinforce this number. All the neighboring govern-
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 325. t Col. Kec. Conn , V . X pp. 32 -- 3,1
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ments were counseled to hold the same reserve of troops in readiness for the final success of the expedition.
An act was passed for supplying the treasury for the present extraor- dinary emergencies, and for creating and issuing bills of credit. Every person in possession of outstanding bills of credit of the colony was re- quired to deliver them to a committee appointed to receive them, and from them receive receipts of their value with lawful interest, at the rate of one-third of their value, to be paid in three orders dated May, 1756, 1757 and 1758. The committee were to compute the outstanding bills of credit in the following proportions: "For every fifty-eight shillings & eight pence old tenor, one ounce of coined silver; & for every forty- two pounds of old tenor, one ounce of coined gold; & the new tenor bills to be computed at one shilling of the new for three shillings & sixpence of the old tenor." The treasurer was instructed to deliver into the hands of the committee, " out of the silver & gold lodged in his hands for the sale of the sterling bills of exchange that have been drawn & sold for the money granted to this Colony by the Parliament of Great Britain for reimbursing the expenses of the expedition against Cape Breton & that intended against Canada, at the same rate he received it into the treas- ury; " and the committee were instructed to compute it into the lawful money as follows: " Spanish milled dollars at six shillings each, & other silver coins according to their value at this rate, & standing gold at five pounds per ounce troy weight." For the punctual discharge of the orders to be drawn on the treasurer and the other charges and expenses of the colony, "in lieu of a three-farthing tax granted in October & a three-farthing tax in January, a tax of four pence was levied on all the polls & taxable estates of the colony," to be paid into the treasury the following December, in gold, silver, bills of credit, or in the produce of the country at its lawful valuation.
It was further ordered that twelve thousand pounds in bills of credit should be printed. A tax of three pence half-penny was levied on all the towns in the colony to discharge the payment of such bills. All acts of the assembly in the public defences were ordered to be kept secret .*
Every able-bodied man who enlisted for the expedition was granted a bounty of thirteen shillings. A further allowance was made to each man who provided himself with a military outfit, and that he be paid the month's wages in advance.
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 336-341.
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It was agreed that a proclamation to encourage volunteer, should be issued by Governor Fitch.
The one thousand men to be raised were to form two regiments call sisting of six companies each, commanded by a colonel, lieutenant colonel and major, each of whom was to have the command of a company as captain thereof, with lieutenants and one standard bearer.
Pack horses were ordered to be purchased for carrying bas gage and other necessary stores.
William Johnson was commissioned lieutenant general and conf mander-in-chief of the forces, Phineas Lyman major-general and David Lacey of Fairfield first lieutenant of the fifth company, under the com mand of Captain Samuel Whiting of Stratford."
In order to maintain the supremacy of the magistrates of the colony, all power to equip and call for volunteers was vested in commissioners appointed by the Governor.
The Committee of War in the County of Fairfield was ordered to hold themselves in readiness to obey the Governor when he should cill for assistance.
The town clerks of each town were ordered to read at a freeman's meeting, a printed copy of an act of Parliament to regulate and restrain paper bills of credit in the Connecticut colony, as well as in several other colonies, and to prevent the same being legal tender in payment of money.t
At the same time orders were given by the Assembly that all neces sary expenditures should be paid, two-thirds in bills of credit and one third in silver or gold.
At the regular meeting of the Assembly held at Hartford, May 8th, Judge Ebenezer Silliman and Colonel Andrew Burr were present as assistants and Mr. David Rowland and Mr. William Burr as deputies.+
Ebenezer Silliman was chosen Judge of the Superior Court of the colony. Colonel Andrew Burr, Judge of the Fairfield County Court and District Probate Courts.
Mr. Daniel Andrews was commissioned captain of the third train
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 3.16, 347.
# It was during the meeting of this assembly that the der gris of the Simple sim Ones to a large tract of land, belonging in part to the Six Nations, were apprised at remtinone| the King's royal favor .- Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 370.
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band, Phineas Chapman, lieutenant of the first train-band and David Coley ensign of the second train-band of Greens Farms .*
Upon the recommendation of the Governor of New York it was deemed expedient that Connecticut should raise five hundred more men, but the Assembly agreed to raise only three hundred more, "in conse- quence of having already raised a very large proportion in the colony, now ready to march.": +
The Governor was requested to send a proclamation to each town that a day be set apart for fasting and prayer in each ecclesiastical society for the success of the departing soldiers. #
Four expeditions had been planned by England, one against the French on the Ohio under General Braddock, a second against Nova Scotia, a third against Crown Point, and a fourth against Niagara.
It was deemed necessary to make an immediate attack on the French fortifications on the Ohio; consequently, General Braddock sailed from Cork in January, with fifteen hundred regulars for Virginia, and in about six weeks reached America.
The French during the spring set sail with a powerful armament and four thousand troops under the command of Baron Dieskau. A still larger fleet was sent out from England, of six thousand land forces under Admirals Boscawen and Holburn.
The General Assembly met at Hartford August 24th, when a letter from General Johnson was read, giving an account of the design of the French to secure Crown Point, with a request that additional troops be sent without loss of time. The Assembly forthwith ordered that two more regiments be raised of seven hundred and fifty men each, who should receive the same bounty and pay as those already in service. Samuel Talcott, Esq., was commissioned colonel of the first regiment and captain of the first company; Eliphalet Dyer, lieutenant-colonel of the same regiment and captain of the second company; Joseph Wooster major of the same regiment and captain of the third company and Samuel Hubbell first lieutenant of the third company.
Elihu Chauncey, Esq., was commissioned colonel of the fourth regi- ment; Andrew Ward, Jr., lieutenant-colonel and captain of the first com- pany; William Whiting major and captain of the third company. §
Bills of credit to the amount of thirty thousand pounds were ordered
* Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, pp. 360, 361, 363. + Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 390. § Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 399.
# Col. Rec. Conn., Vol. X, p. 395.
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